Marina Gaviota

At the furthest extreme of Varadero, the Marina Gaviota,still expanding after years under construction, is not only the peninsula’s top nautical facility but also a commercial holiday village, centred around a small, outdoor, waterside mall, Plaza Las Morlas, which wouldn’t look out of place in a theme park. Said to be the largest marina in the Caribbean, with 1200 berths, its currently underused capacity has been established in anticipation of the flood of American yachts and travellers expected to visit Cuba’s north coast if and when Washington repeals its economic blockade. Regardless of any future changes, this huge project has already transformed the eastern end of the peninsula, adding a short waterfront promenade, a few shops and market stalls, a nightclub, tapas bar, Mexican, Argentinian and seafood restaurants, a bowling alley, apartment blocks and yet another all-inclusive hotel, as well as the boat trips, diving and fishing excursions you’d expect from a marina.